- The Governor General of Canada
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Vicken Koundakjian
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
November 20, 2009
Vol. V, p. 475
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Gules a bridge issuant therefrom a minaret and a tower Or masoned Gules between in chief a Cross of Jerusalem and in base an escallop Or;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet of Maltese crosses Or a raven Sable beaked and legged Gules holding beneath its wing a scroll with a pendant seal Or charged with a maple leaf Gules;
Motto
ՈՒՂՂԱՄՏՈՒԹԻՒՆ;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
On a grassy mount Vert a tower Or masoned Gules supported to the sinister by a raven Sable beaked and legged Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
The Cross of Jerusalem illustrates Mr. Koundakjian’s heritage as an Armenian Christian, and is an allusion to the region in which he was born, the Middle East. The bridge indicates his profession as a diplomat, seeking to bridge differences between the East (symbolized by the minaret) and the West (symbolized by the castle tower). For a diplomat, the shell symbolizes a pilgrimage towards peaceful relations.
Crest
The raven symbolizes several additional diplomatic assets: dissimulating when necessary, playing tricks as needed, and speaking on behalf of or as someone else. It is also a native bird from Mr. Koundakjian’s chosen country. The scroll with the seal, representing a commission from Her Majesty’s Canadian Government, symbolizes his profession as a diplomat. The Maltese cross coronet reflects his long-standing association with St. John Ambulance and the Order of St. John.
Motto
This Armenian word means “Integrity”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The raven and the tower reflect Mr. Koundakjian’s profession and its starting point, i.e. the West.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 26, 2011, in Volume 145, page 1074 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Vicken Koundakjian, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Robert Grey
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual